Means for closing automobile doors and the like



July 6, 1937. M. w. G'ANO, JR

MEANS FOR CLOSING AUTOMOBILE DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed larch 16 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 1 52 0 a m M I w July 6, 1937. M, w. GANO JR 2,086,025

MEANS FOR CLOSING AUTOMOBILE DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1956 4Sheets Sheet 2 1/ rI/IA Jams/afar.- fferm i M Cano /'1 hwwim ,UM

July 6, 1937. M. w. GANO, JR

MEANS FOR CLOSING AUTOMOBILE DOORS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMarch 16, 1936 July 6, 1937. 2,086,025

AUTOMOBILE moons AND mm LIKE M. W. GANO, JR

MEANS FOR CLOSING 4 Shoots-Sheet 4 Filed larch 16. 1936 w W M PatentedJuly 6, 1937 UNITED STATES MEANS FOR CLOSING AUTOMOBILE DOORS AND THELIKE Merritt W. Gano, Jr., Denver, Colo. Application March 1c, 1936,Serial No. 69,083

5 Claims.

This invention relates to means for closing automobile doors and thelike, and may be characterized as an improvement upon the suctionoperated closer for automobile doors and the like illustrated anddescribed in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,991,611, datedFebruary 19, 1935.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device ofsimple and inexpensive construction which is adapted to be easilyinstalled or built in without material alteration of the existing partsof the vehicle, and more par ticularly, an improved arrangement andmounting for the suction operated device.

Another object is to provide an improved iorm of operating connectionbetween the suction operated device and the door.

Another object is to provide, in conjunction with the piston of thesuction operated closer device, means operable to return the piston toits door closed position when the door is operated manually.

Another object is to provide, in a device of this sort, manuallyoperable valve means for controlling the application of suction to thesuction operated device.

Another object is to provide means which will avoid the necessity forany exact predetermined relation of the suction operated device inrespect to the dooror its operating connection, and which, particularly,will make it unnecessary to position the suction operated device so thatthe piston thereof will exert a direct pull upon the operatingconnection between the piston and the door.

Another object is to provide a multiple cylinder unit adapted to bebuilt in or installed in the side or jamb of the doorway and connectedto the door by the proper'operating connection,

whereby the desired force may be obtained forv closing the door with aplurality of cylinders of relatively small diameter instead of with asingle cylinder of correspondingly larger diameter, which largerdiameter cylinder may preclude building in or installing the cylinder inthe jamb or side of the doorway if the space there is restricted.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the door, the sideof the doorway, and the dash partition of an automobile, and showing inelevation the installation 01. an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the suction operated device,taken on the line L4 Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the suction operated device;

Figure 4 is a detail section taken 4-.4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an exploded view showing the parts for effecting theconnection shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure i, showing a multiple cylinder unitembodying the present invention;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the multiple cylinder unit shown inFigure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail section similar to Figure 4, showing another formof mounting of the valve casing and its associated arm upon the end 01the suction operated device;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing another embodiment ofthe invention;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side view or 9. vehicle showing a furtherembodiment oi the invention; and

Figure 13 is a section taken on the line 13- of Figure,.12.

Referring first to Figures 1 to '7, inclusive, the automobile door IIIis hinged at H to the side or jamb 12 of the doorway to be swung to openand closed positions, and is provided with outside and inside handles i3and I3 and, preferably, the usual snap latch mechanism 14 for holdingthe door closed. A door lock may be provided as suitable or desired.

The side or J'amb. I2 01 the doorway has an 40 outer wall i5 which isusually or metal and forms a part of the body of the vehicle, and aninner wall l6 which is usually of cardboard or the like, suitablyfinished, as desired, or other suitable material. The partition whichseparates the engine compartment from the driver's compartment, as wellunderstood in the art, is indicatedat H. The usual instrument panel isindicated more or less diagrammatically at 18.

on the line The door closer comprises a" suction operated deviceindicated at '20, which consists, of a cylinder 2!. Fixed telescopicallyin one'end of the cylinder II, by means oi! screws 22, is an .end.member 23.

Mounting members 24 and 25 have oblique flanges which cooperate with thepartition l1. As shown in Figure 1, with the partition I1 verticallydisposed, these members 24 and 23 are adapted for mounting the cylinder2| obliquely in respect to the partition I! so that the suction operateddevice will act in direct line, or substantially in direct line, withthe operating connection with the door. If the partition I! is inclinedvertically as shown in Figure 2, these mounting members 24 and 25 areadapted for mounting the cylinder 2| in horizontal position upon theinclined partition, so that the suction operated device will acthorizontally and not in a downward direction which would result if thecylinder were clamped directly to the partition with its axis at rightangles to the partition. The members 24 and 23 are adapted to be turnedto secure different angular relations of the suction operated device inrespect to the partition, primarily to secure the desired direct pullwhere the relation between the partition and the operating connectionwith the door is different from that shown, or where it is desired toposition the suction operated device horizontally on partitions inclineddifferently from the partition shown in Figure 2. Y

A tubular stud 26 has a head 21 which cooperates with the end member'23to clamp the cylinder in place, and the shank 0'! this stud passesthrough the axial opening 23 in the end member 23 and through members 24and 25, and a single opening 23 which is the only opening that need beformed in the partition I! in applying the device of the presentinvention. A nut member 33 is threaded upon the stud 23 and clamps theparts securely in place. The portion 3| 0! the stud 26 preferably titsrelatively snugly in the opening 23 and centers the cylinder 2| withrespect to the stud 2i.

A piston or plunger 32 operates within the cylinder 2| and has connectedthereto at 33 a flexible cable, wire, or other flexible element 34,which extends through the tubular stud 26 and is connected at 35 to alink 36, which link, in turn, has pivotal connection at 31 with a lever33. The opposite end oi the lever 33 is pivoted at 33 to a bracketmember 40 secured at 4| to the door Ill. The lever 33 is preferablycurved as shown, so that the suction operated device will exert thedesired closing action upon the door It endwlse through this leverthroughout the entire range of operation. A small lug 42 integral withthe bracket member 40 cooperates with the lever 38 in open position ofthe door to hold the lever out of binding engagement with the adjacentend of the door and out of binding engagement with the door jamb. Thislug 42 forms an abutment which constitutes a fulcrum for the lever 38when the door is open whereby the force for initially starting the doorto closed position is applied through a relatively great leverage.Thereafter the door closing force is applied endwise through the curvedlever to move the door to full closed position. This closing arrangementoperates to advantage with the relatively large and heavy doors nowcommonly employed.

The connection at 35, between the flexible element 34 andthe link 36, issecured by means of a stud 43 headed at 44. The shank of this stud isprovided adjacent the head 44 with a diametrical opening 45 throughwhich the adjacent end of the flexible element 34 is inserted, and thelink 36 has an aperture for the passage of the stud 43 therethrough.Adjacent this aperture the link 36 is depressed at 46, and a cooperatingclamp- 'bile having a dual carburetor system,

ing member is provided at 41. This member 41 has an aperture whichregisters with the aperture in the link 33, and the member 4! is formedto fit the hump provided on the opposite side oi the link 33 by thedepression 46. A split washer is provided at 43 and a nut 43 is threadedupon the stud 43 and clamps the flexible element 34 into the depression46 and to the link 36. This clamping arrangement provides a mechanicallysecure connection between the flexible element 34 and the link 36, andkeeps the flexible element from shearing at this connection.

The opposite end of the cylinder 2| is adapted to be connected by meansof a suitable valve 50 with a pipe or suction line 5|. The suction line3| is provided with means 52 for connecting the same to the intakemanifold of the engine, whereby the suction or vacuum created by theengine 01 the automobile is utilized for closing the door or doors orthe automobile. The particular suction connection means 52 shown in thedrawings is adapted for use with an automothe two openings 53 beingadapted for register with the two intake manifolds, and drill holes 34,for example, place these two openings 33 in communication with thesuction line 3|. It is to be understood that the particular adapter 32selected for illustration forms no part of the present invention, andthat this adapter may be varied as desired to provide the desiredsuction connection or the line 5| with the intake manifolds of differentvehicles.

The valve 33, which controls the application of suction or vacuum to thecylinder 2| is a manually operated valve, and, in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, is shown as mounted directly upon the endmember 36 for the adjacent end oi the cylinder 2|, although theparticular arrangement of the valve may vary widely within the scope ofthe present invention.

The valve 50 comprises a valve casing 53 connected at 53 to the suctionline II. A valve member 30 operates slidingly in the casing 33 and, inclosed position, is yieldingly seated at 6| by a coiled spring 32. Inthis position the valve member 33 closes the port 33 through whichsuction is applied to the interior of the cylinder 2| and opens ports 64and 43 through which the interior or the cylinder is vented toatmosphere.

A valve stem 36 is connected to the valve member 53 by a diametrical pin31, and the spring 32 is interposed between the valve member 33 and aplug member 68 threaded into the valve casing and provided with an axialopening through which the stem 66 extends. A suitable control wire 10,such as a Bowden wire, is connected to the stem 66 and leads to asuitable control button 12 on the instrument panel l3. The adjacent endof the outer helically wound wire 131s clamped to an arm 14 by aclamping member I5 secured to the arm 14 by screws 13. The arm 14 andvalve casing 53 are secured to the end member 56 by screws in thepartition I! for the passage of the control wire therethrough. Thecylinder 2| is vented to atmosphere on the right-hand side 0: the piston32 (Figure 2) by the opening through the tubular stud 26.

Instead of securing the arm 14 and valve casing 53 to the end of thecylinder as shown in Figure 4, this attachment may be obtained by bolts18 inserted from the inner side of the end 56' of the cylinder andhaving threaded engageas shown in Figure 10.

me-nt with nuts 18" 18. A bushing 19 is preferably provided hand end ofthe cylinder 2 I as viewed in Figure 2.-

With the door in open position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1,the driver, in order to close the door, merely grasps the button I2 andpulls the same from the panel I8 sufficiently to move the valve member60 to open position against the tension of the spring 62. With-theengine running, suction is thereupon applied through the port 63 to theleft-hand side of the piston 32 (Figure 2), drawing this piston to theleft as viewed in Figure 2, and thereby swinging the door to closedposition through the operating connection between the piston and thedoor. When the door reaches fully closed position under the action ofthe suction applied to the piston 32, the snap latch mechanism I4operates to hold the door in closed position.

Upon release of the button I2 the valve member 60 is returned to closedposition by the spring 02 and, in this position, opens the ports 04 and63 through which the interior or the cylinder on the left-hand side orthe piston, as viewed in Figure 2, is vented to atmosphere. When thedoor I0 is opened the piston 32 connected thereto is moved to the rightin the cylinder 2I, as viewed in Figure 2, so that the closing operationmay be repeated by operation of the button I2, and, with the ports 64and 65 open, the air may act as a door check in the opening movement ofthe door.

In order to return the piston 32 to its door closed position and toavoid undue slack in the flexible element 34 when the door is closedmanually, a coiled spring 82 is interposed between the right-hand side(Figure 2) of the piston 32 and the end member 23. This spring 02 isshown oi conical form, with its large end closely fitting the innersurface of the cylinder 2I and abutting the inturned flange of the endmember 23. The small end of the spring 32 fits around and is centeredand I held in position by an annular flange 83 formed on the metalstamping 84 which constitutes a part of the piston 32. The stamping part33' is preferably of thin spring metal, slit radially to provide springfingers which engage the leather part 83" or the piston.

The connection at 33, between the flexible element 34 and the piston 32,is secured by aflixing the adjacent end of the flexible element 34 in asocket in one end of the stud 08. This stud 06 is flanged at 81 and hasa shank 83 which extends through the piston and has threaded engagementwith a nut 39.

For the purpose of assuring proper action where the connection 35, forexample, is out of line with the axis of the piston 32, as shown indotted lines in Figure l, the flexible element 34 is preferably trainedover a suitable pulley 90. This pulley 90 is carried by a bracket member9| which has an apertured flange 92 clamped upon the stud 26 between thenut member 30 and a second nut member 93. By turning the bracket member9| about the axis of the stud 26, the.

pulley 90 may be positioned as desired for the particular disposition ofthe flexible element 34.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 issimilar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to7, inclusive, except that in this case the suction operated devicecomprises a multiple cylinder unit consisting of three cylinders I00built in or installed between the outer wall I5 and the inner wall I6 0!the side or jamb I2 01 the doorway and connected directly to the doorIII by an operating connection IOI. While the multiple cylinder unit isshown as comprising three cylinders, it is to be understood that two ormore cylinders are contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention.

The operating connection IOI comprises a crosshead I02 connected to theflexible elements I03 which, in turn, are connected to the pistons whichoperate within the cylinders I00. The crosshead I02 has pivotal,connection at I04 to a lever I05, which lever has pivotal connection atI06 to an arm I01 secured to the door I0.

The suction line for the multiple cylinder unit is indicated at SI. Thevalve mechanism for controlling the application of suction to thecylinders I00 is preferably mounted upon the partition IT as indicatedat 30', and the control wire for controlling this valve mechanism fromthe instrument panel is indicated at 13. The

door I0 is hinged at II to the side or lamb I2 oi the doorway as in thepreceding embodiment of the invention. The adapter for connection withthe intake manifold of the engine is indicated at 32' and the suctionline between the adapter and the valve 00' is indicated at II".

The multiple cylinder unit of Figures 8 and 9 provides for securing thedesired force for closing the door with a plurality of cylinders ofrelatively small diameter instead 01 with a single cylinder ofcorrespondingly larger diameter. The small diameter of the pistons I00permits disposition of the same in the lamb or side of the doorway, orin other restricted spaces where the width of the space is notsuflicient adequately to accommodate the larger diameter cylinderrequired where a single cylinder suction operated device is employed.

The door shown in Figure 1 or the door shown in Figure 8 may be either afront door or a rear door within the scope of the present invention, itbeing understood that in the case of the embodiment of Figure 1 thecylinder may be mounted elsewhere than upon thev partition I! for properassociation with the door.

It is also to be understood that one of the suction operated closers ispreferably employed with each of the doors of the vehicle, at least witheach door remote from the driver's position, and that in such casemanipulation of the button 12 will operate to close any and all doors inopen position.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 11, the cylinder I25is positioned crosswise of the vehicle beneath the rear seat I20,

and is mounted at I2'I upon the metal seat support I23. The rear doorI23 is hinged at I30 to the body part I3I of the vehicle, and hasoutside and inside handles I32 and I33 and the usual snap latchmechanism I34 for holding the door closed. The suction line to thecylinder I25 is indicated at I35, and the piston within the cylinder isindicated at I36. This arrangement has been employed with good resultsin a Zephyr" automobile.

In this embodiment of the invention, the operating connection betweenthe suction operated device and the door comprises a lever I38 pivotedat one end to the adjacent end of the piston rod I39, which rod I30 isrigidly connected to the piston I36. The opposite end oi. the lever I30is pivoted at I40 to a bracket I H secured at I42 to the door I29. Thevalve mechanism for controlling the application oi suction to thecylinder I may be mounted on the separating partition between the engineand driver's compartment and controlled by a button or other suitableflngerpiece on the instrument, panel, as explained in connection withthe embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8. Of course the controlbutton may be mounted otherwise than on the instrument panel for accessfrom the driver's position.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 isparticularly adapted for use in taxicabs and the like, although it is tobe understood that this embodiment of the invention may be employed inconnection with other vehicles as suitable or desired.

In this embodiment of the invention, the cylinder I 50 is positionedlengthwise in the rear of the vehicle body I5I adjacent the end of therear seat I52. It may be covered at I53 to provide a suitable arm rest.It is to be understood that where one of such suction devices isemployed in connection with each of the rear doors, the other cylinderwill be similarly arranged at the opposite end of the seat I52.

The rear door I55 is hinged at I54 to the body part I5I and has suitablehandles I55 and snap latch mechanism (not shown) for holding the doorclosed.

In this embodiment of the invention, the operating connection betweenthe suction operated device I50 and the door I53 comprises a flexibleelement I56, such as a flexible cable, wire or the like, connected atone end to the piston which operates within the cylinder I50, andconnected at its opposite end at I59 to a bracket I60 secured to thedoor I53. The flexible element I58 may be trained around a suitablepulley, or passes through a suitable bushing I52 which guides the samein the closing and opening movements of the door.

It is to be understood that the particular operating connection betweenthe suction operated device and the door, as shown in Figures 12 and 13,may be varied widely within the scope of the present invention. Aleverage mechanism, or a combined leverage mechanism and flexibleelement, may be employed between the suction operated device and thedoor in lieu of the flexible element shown.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described,and it is to be understood that the device may be employed with one orany number of doors as suitable or desired.

I claim:'

1. In combination, a vehicle door hinged to be swung to open and closedpositions, a suction operated device, a lever mechanism connecting saidsuction operated device and said door for closing the door by suction,said lever mechanism comprising a curved lever pivotally connected tothe door and connected to said suction operated device whereby saidsuction operated device operates through said lever throughout the rangeof operation of said lever in closing the door, and an abutment on saiddoor cooperating with said lever in the open position of the door andconstituting a fulcrum whereby the force for initially starting the doorto closed position is applied through a relatively great leverage, saidlever swinging out of cooperation with said abutment in the movement ofthe door to closed position and the door closing force being thereafterapplied endwise through said lever.

2. In combination, a vehicle door hinged to be swung to open and closedpositions. a suction operated device comprising a cylinder, a pistonoperable within said cylinder, an operating connection between saidpiston and said door for closing the door by suction, said operatingconnection comprising a flexible element connected to the piston, and alever mechanism connecting said flexible element and the door, andcomprising a lever pivotally connected to the door, and an abutment onsaid door cooperating with said lever in the open position of the doorand constituting a fulcrum whereby the force for initially starting thedoor to closed position is applied through a relatively great leverage,said lever swinging out of cooperation with said abutment in themovement of the door to closed position and the door closing force beingthereafter applied endwise through said lever.

3. In combination, a vehicle door hinged to be swung to open and closedpositions, a suction operated device comprising a cylinder, a pistonoperable within said cylinder, an operating connection between saidpiston and said door for closing the door by suction, said operatingconnection comprising a flexible element connected to the piston, and alever mechanism connected between said flexible element and the door,said lever mechanism comprising a curved lever pivotally connected tothe door at one end and connected to the flexible element at itsopposite end whereby said suction operated device operates through saidlever throughout the range of operation of said lever in closing thedoor, and an abutment on said door cooperating with said lever in theopen position of the door and constituting a fulcrum whereby the forcefor initially starting the door to closed position is applied through arelatively great leverage, said lever swinging out of cooperation withsaid abutment inthe move- .ment of the door to closed position and thedoor closing force being thereafter applied endwise through said lever.

4. In combination, a vehicle door hinged to be swung to open and closedpositions, a partition separating the engine compartment from thedriver's compartment, a suction operated device comprising a cylinder,an operating connection between said device and said door for closingsaid door by suction, said operating connection comprising a flexibleelement, a stud extending from said cylinder through an opening in saidpartition, means cooperating with said stud and said partition forsecuring said cylinder in place on said partition, and a pulley carriedby said stud for guiding cooperation with said flexible element.

5. In a motor vehicle, a vehicle door hinged to be swung manually toopen and closed positions, a door closing device comprising a cylinder,a piston operable within said cylinder and connected to said door, asuction line, and valve means carried by and constituting a unitary partof said cylinder for applying suction from said line to said cylinder onone side of said piston to pull the door to closed position and forreleasing the suction to permit the door to be opened and closedmanually in the usual manner.

MERRI'I'I W. GANO, JR.

